Gifts 8901-9000

8901.  A successful bus trip. 

8902.  Easily accessible restroom. 

8903.  Warm sunshine and a park bench. 

8904.  A chance to be the one observing rather than being the one
           stared at. 

8905.  A kind man and a pleasant, slow conversation. 

8906.  A chance to walk and pray. 

8907.  Actually seeing a familiar face and her inviting me to sit. 

8908.  And meeting her two sisters who were kind and welcoming
           and helped teach me some words. 

8909.  English speakers are rare, forcing me to learn Turkish. 

8910.  Missing my bus stop but having time to prayer walk. 

8911.  Beginning my day with the phrase, "You are light breaking
           through."

8912.  Words of affirmation from the Suiters. 

8913.  A quiet nook to eat lunch and watch people. 

8914.  Successfully using an ATM. 

8915.  A kind girl to help me understand the problem. 

8916.  A stressful conversation replaced by light and truth. 

8917.  Stumbling through the water phone call and now I have 
           water! 

8918.  Good time of prayer. 

8919.  A chill day. 

8920.  Observing the neighborhood. 

8921.  Making potato soup. 

8922.  Having a market beside the house for when I forget flour.

8923.  Sweet prayer time with Suiters. 

8924.  Sweet study time in the food court.

8925.  Chinese food! 

8926.  Ancient words read anew and shared in present day 
           struggles. 

8927.  Asking for much life to come from this hardship. 

8928.  Satiation and joy at being here in this time and place for this. 

8929.  Leslie's story of much kindness and the reminder that my
           Father likes to show off His glory and power as He should
           do. 

8930.  A chance to clean a bit. 

8931.  Nice people at the university. 

8932.  My buddy Jude. 

8933.  Watching the kids'performance tonight and being highly 
           amused.

8934.  Tears flow easily these past few days but thankful not one
           goes unnoticed by my Father (Ps 56:8).

8935.  A plan of sorts, others mindful of what I desire. 

8936.  Stumbling upon sheep grazing just above my house. 

8937.  A chance to Skype with Megan. 

8938.  A clean apartment. 

8939.  So far someone showing kindness every time I'm clueless as
           to what's going on. 

8940.  Ugly sweaters at the pazar.

8941.  My first clothing purchases here! 

8942.  The bus not being full when I got on with my huge basket 
           and shopping cart.

8943.  A chill evening after a stressful day. 

8944.  Waking with a resting heart. 

8945.  Sushi for the first time in CA. 

8946.  Sweet fellowship time. 

8947.  Homemade pizza. 

8948.  Jude calling just to talk. 

8949.  Successfully adding money to my phone. 

8950.  The guy telling me my Turkish is getting better. 

8951.  A quiet drive.

8952.  Sun rays bursting on snow capped mountains. 

8953.  Brilliant green grass. 

8954.  A brilliant rainbow. 

8955.  Purchasing a few more things for the house. 

8956.  A chance to hang with some single girls here and feel a bit
           like an American. 

8957.  Waking minutes before the alarm, God's steadfast 
           faithfulness. 

8958.  Having a friend to help me navigate a new city. 

8959.  Watching others paint, goodness for my soul. 

8960.  A Hobby Lobby-ish store to stock up on art supplies. 

8961.  Such a good day that even the rain and wet shoes couldn't 
           get me down. 

8962.  A nice, quiet evening in with breakfast burritos, Friends
           episodes, prayer over Skype, and games with new friends. 

8963.  Good rest. 

8964.  Lots of language hours today. 

8965.  A kind woman with a kind smile at the restaurant. 

8966. Warm sunshine on my chilled body. 

8967. A chance to get out and watch a movie with some girl friends. 

8968. Wisdom to go to bed early. 

8969. A day to scope out Ikea and buy some items for my home. 

8970. A kind friend to help me out. 

8971. Finding a pair of rain boots in my size and on sale.

8972. Super Mario on the Wii fun. 

8973. A quiet evening with a yummy dinner. 

8974. Navigating the bus system and arriving safely. 

8975. The bus attendant's big smile at me not speaking his language. 

8976. Some kids loving me well. 

8977. People to help me lift my heavy bag. 

8978. Movie night with the Hinton's. 

8979. Learning how the doctor/hospital system works here. 

8980. Leyla's sweet way of saying "ballet class."

8981. Forty-five minutes of listening to the language and
          understanding some! 

8982. An afternoon nap and some time to rest my brain. 

8983. Yummy veggies. 

8984. Waking and feeling much more rested. 

8985. Listening to Mr. Cook talk about prayer. 

8986. A chance to draw.
8987. Leyla looking up at me several times and saying, "I just yike
          you."
8988. Watching Joanna engage the nationals with her language.
8989.  McDonalds never tasted so good.
8990.  That amazing Coke.
8991.  The really cool park and super great weather to enjoy it.
8992.  The Hintons treating me like a family member.
8993.  The friend to help me navigate my first stop.
8994.  A seat to myself for a bit.
8995.  A rainbow!
8996.  The lush green color.
8997.  Surprised by the lake view.
8998.  The sweet teyze willing to converse with me in broken  
           Turkish and to watch out for me at the brief bathroom stop.
8999.  Getting to share a banana with her.
9000.  Reminded that God is ever present. 

Gifts 8801-8900

8801.  Another good night's sleep.
8802.  Morning sea and sun beauty.
8803.  A chill morning to shower and pray and decompress.
8804.  Singing 'How Great is our God' and realizing the full circle
           from singing it in Ephesus. 
8805.  Lisa F. joining us this week.
8806.  The Aegean ladies telling me they have been praying for my
           arrival.
8807.  FPO 04.14 reunion lunch.
8808.  Dinner with region mates again.
8809.  Skyping with Lindsey and Lydia.
8810.  And hanging out with other FPOers and laughing.
8811.  Good soul chats with Sarah, my roommate.
8812.  Skype texting my sister.
8813.  Zeke treasuring my letter and making Lonnie read it to him.
8814.  The Lord's words that He is mindful of me, longs to fill me 
           as well, longs to show me I need Him even when the going 
           seems easy.
8815.  Our God reigns. Even over the things that are to come both
           good and bad.
8816.  An update that made me chuckle from the Cooks.
8817.  Provision of lunch and dinner companions.
8818.  Wisdom to skip the marketplace session.
8819.  Laughter in the singles session.
8820.  Experiencing that with Leslie and Lisa F.
8821.  Pool for exercise and sauna for warmth.
8822.  Lunch view beauty.
8823.  Getting to chat with Christina and my mom.
8824.  Seeing the Med as I walk to breakfast.
8825.  A sweet time praying for A-land.
8826.  Obeying the Spirit's prompting and the reward for 
           obedience.
8827.  Chill time in the Word and prayer.
8828.  My first in country excitement: a fire, and safety in the fire.
8829.  Time to blog a bit.
8830.  Finding some girls to sit with and sharing our stories.
8831.  Realizing the good decision to go to the ladies' fun night.
8832.  Crazy dancing leaders, crazy squatty potty and language
           stories, crazy Reese Cup fundraiser, crazy 'Shake it Off' 
           song, and crazy 'Let it Go' dancing. Much laughter.
8833.  Having an entire (mini) conversation about the weather with
           the cleaning lady.
8834.  And Sarah's proud encouragement.
8835.  Underlying feelings brought to surface.
8836.  Always finding someone to eat meals with.
8837.  Catching up with Mina.
8838.  Skipping a session to unwind and journal.
8839.  Worship helping push back the darkness, lies, and anxiety.
8840.  Misty praying for me.
8841.  And meeting Pam and her unusual, yet sweet, prayer.
8842.  Ending up with a great roommate and loving my time with 
           her.
8843.  Extra time with Leslie and K city ladies.
8844.  Sleeping in.
8845.  Breakfast company.
8846.  Chilling in my room this morning.
8847.  A chance to serve Sarah H.
8848.  A chance to practice my STS.
8849.  Having an English/new language speaker to navigate the
           room situation.
8850.  A quiet nook to journal and chat with Crystal and my 
           parents.
8851.  Getting to catch up with Holly and Adam.
8852.  Getting to offer Lisa advice on a situation, feeling like I can
           contribute something.
8853.  Snow. Snow covered mountains. Pure, smooth snow drifts 
           on the side of the road.
8854.  Many people stopping on the side of the road to play in the
           snow.
8855.  And all the snowmen.
8856.  And the middle aged guys dancing on the side of the road.
8857.  Blue skies and sunny weather and clear roads.
8858.  Arriving home safely.
8859.  And navigating the shut off Kombi.
8860.  Chatting with my sister.
8861.  The morning to chill in the Word and do laundry.
8862.  Exploring the neighborhood.
8863.  Using a little Turkish.
8864.  And buying a few groceries.
8865.  Skyping with my mom.
8866.  Skyping with Brooke and feeling like I'm walking around 
           the house with her.
8867.  Also her neat spirit and excitement for God.
8868.  Skyping with the Masons and the enriching discussions of 
           the Word I have with them.
8869.  Skyping with the Vaughns if only for a minute.
8870.  Discovering I can stay warm if I sit by the radiator.
8871.  Watching the snow fall in the night.
8872.  Great sleep.
8873.  Great time in the Word.
8874.  Lighting the stove right away at lunch.
8875.  Having cold food to eat when I couldn't light the stove at
           breakfast.
8876.  First bus ride success.
8877.  Exploring the mall and buying a couple things.
8878.  Amazing chocolate cake.
8879.  Getting to celebrate Jude's birthday.
8880.  A keyboard to foster worship.
8881.  Waking with dawn light.
8882.  Breakfast and chatting with Heath and Lisa.
8883.  Lisa's words of encouragement and that she sees how God 
           has been challenging and sanctifying me to now live here.
8884.  Chatting with Jana for a few.
8885.  Two much needed cat naps.
8886.  Bus adventures and kind nationals who help to ensure I 
           arrived back home safely.
8887.  Homemade granola.
8888.  Finally figuring out how to work the gas range.
8889.  A good night's rest.
8890.  Emails going quickly.
8891.  Blundering through lots of broken Turkish and yet I 
           understood some and was understood some.
8892.  Warm sunshine to sit in and decompress.
8893.  In the midst of stress and discomfort, I get more of God and 
           find Him near.
8894.  Skyping with Zekey buddy and him making me chuckle.
8895.  A nice morning walk.
8896.  Google translate helping me to successfully ask for more 
           money on my bus card.
8897.  The sweet village lady asking where I'm from and then
           telling me she took a plane to America, me telling her I love
           her city, and her kissing me on both cheeks.
8898.  Having Lisa to show me around the pazar.
8899.  Fun Kipa adventures buying three carts worth of stuff.
8900.  The HS reminding me of truth.